emirates7 - Recent figures released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) that the population of GCC nations reached 61.2 million by the end of 2024—an increase of over 2.1 million people compared to 2023. This marks a 3.6 percent growth rate.

The statistics, published in observance of World Population Day on July 11, highlight a strong rebound in population numbers across the Gulf region following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2021, the population has grown by approximately 7.6 million, reflecting a 14.2 percent rise, signaling a rapid return to population growth after a pandemic-induced slowdown.

According to the data, the GCC population accounts for 0.7 percent of the global population. Of the total, about 38.5 million are males—making up 62.8 percent—while females number around 22.7 million, or 37.2 percent.

The sex ratio in the GCC stood at 169 males for every 100 females in 2024, significantly higher than the global average of 101 males per 100 females.